Unwinding device



Oct. 19, 1948. K 2,451,662

UNWINDING DEVICE Filed Aug. 1, 1945 s Sheets-Sheet 1 50 I... 2 1 I! \\w 20 I 52 53 1.3 4] 3 H I 40 i I i 30 37 f 5 3] g s 55 25 5| i 54 35 i I i 10 i 21 E55 m Jafifl/ C0016, J1 Z f 52 I I wfm n Oct. 19, 1948. 1 00 I 21,451,662

UNWINDING DEVICE Filed Aug. 1, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 19, 1948 NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE UNWINDING DEVICE John Cook, Ridgewood, N. J.

Application August 1, 1945, Serial No. 608,203

22 Claims. 1

My invention relates to winding and reeling and more particularly to tensioning devices, this application being a continuation-impart of my prior application filed May 24, 1944, Serial Number 537,127, now abandoned.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a tensioning device or pay-off s-tand equipped with means for controlling the delivery of wire or the like from a reel and in a manner to effect uniformity in the feeding of the wire from the reel.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of the foregoing described character which is so constructed and arranged as to maintain a uniform tension on the wire during feeding of the latter from the reel.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the foregoing described character which is equipped with speed controlling means for controlling the delivery of wire from the reel, the speed controlling means being responsive to the pull or tension imposed upon the feeding run of the wire during delivery to a work-source or the like.

An important object of my invention is to provide a device of the foregoing described character which is simple in construction, durable in use, efiicient in operation and economical in manufacture.

With the above and other objects in view, as will hereinafter appear, the invention consistsin the combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter set forth and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, from which the several features of the invention and the advantages attained thereby will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

Referring to the drawings wherein like refer- "ow taken on line 5- -5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1; and

Figure '7 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 1-4 of Figure 3. 4

As illustrated in the drawings, I provide a base assembly 8 comprising a bed or platform ,9 on which is secured a frame I!) having a ternary of hollow cylinders ll, [2 and I3 respectively, the cylinders II and I2 being disposed in spaced and parallel relation and connected together, at coincident ends, by the cylinder Hit A vertically extending cylindriform standard [4 has its lower end fixed to the cylinder [2 and its upper end provided with a pulley frame I5 in which is carried a pair of pulleys l B and I1 arranged on oppos'ite sides of the standard respectively.

A guide bar I8 is spaced from and extends lon gitudinally of the standard [4 and has its ends connected to the standard through the medium of spacer-s and bolts, each end of the guide bar having sleeved thereon a bumper spring IQ for cushioning tension responsive means comprising a floating pulley frame or rider 20 slidably mounted on the bar and provided with a pulley 2 I. Between its ends, the standard 14 is provided with a laterally extending arm to which is secured a fixed pulley frame 22 in which is mounted a pulley 23.

Reel supporting means is operable to raised and lowered positions within the confines of the frame In and comprises a tubular member 24 having trunnions 25 journaled in bearing brackets 26 fixed to the bed 9 and cylinder l2. A similar member 21 is secured at one end to the member 24 and in right angular relation therewith, the members 24 and 21 extending in parallelism with the cylinders l2 and I3 respectively. The member 2! has fixed thereto a pair of upwardly extending spaced posts 28 and 29, respectively and, interjacent the posts, a bearing support on which is carried a bearing 30 through which is journaled a shaft 3|. One end-of the shaft 3| has mounted thereon, for rotation therewith, a reel 32 having wound thereon a length of wire 33, the latter having, between its outer, free or leading end and the reel 32, a feeding run 34 successively trained about the pulleys l6, 2|, l1, and

'23 to provide a looped section 35 in the run to normally support the rider 211 during the feeding of the wire from the reel. 7

The opposite end of the shaft M has mounted thereon, for rotation therewith, a brake drum 36 formed with a V-shaped groove 31 in its periphery and which groove accommodates therein a similar shaped section of a brake shoe 38 carried by a tubular balance beam or arm 39. The beam 39 is formed at one end with an upwardly disposed L-shaped end portion 40 to which is connected the upper end of a depending section 4! of arelatively long looped chain 42, constituting a weight, for urging the shoe into braking engagement with the drum 36. The upper end of the other depending section 43 of the chain is connected to the rider 20, the latter and the per-- tion 40 being relatively vertically shiftable for a purpose hereinafter made apparent. Mounted for lengthwise adjustment on the opposite end of the beam 39 is a counter-weight 44 for urging the brake shoe 38 out of engagement with drum 36, the beam being provided with a bearing sleeve 45, between the weight 44 and shoe 39, through which is journaled a fulcrum or balance shaft 46 secured to the post 28. The post 29 is provided with a laterally extending arm 4'! on which is fixed a yoke 48 through which the beam extends, the yoke being provided, above the beam, with a wing bolt 49 for enga g the beam to limit the upward movement of the end portion 40 and thus the outward movement of the shoe with respect to the drum.

The underface of the member 21 is provided with an elongated cam block or follower 55 weight 44 thereby urging the shoe 38 towards full braking engagement with the drum 36 and as a consequence deceleration of the reel 32. The operation of the device in the foregoing described manner results in the wire being fed from the reel at a uniform speed and maintained under a uniform tension. Should the run 34 become severed during feeding or the wire be-- the beam by the weight 44 when the chain is which engages a cam member 5| welded to one side of a cam shaft 52 extending through the cylinder l3 and journaled in bearings 53 carried by the bed 9. The outer end of the shaft 52 is provided with a handle 54 for rotating the shaft to raise and lower the member 21 about the trunnions by the action of the cam member 5i on the block 50. The cylinder 13 is provided with a stop 55 on each side of the shaft 52 for engaging the handle 54 and thus limit the movement of the shaft 52 to maintain the reel supporting means in a raised position above the platform 9 as illustrated in Figure 6 and in a lowered position on the platform when the handle is operated to the dot-and-dash line position disclosed in Figure 3. When the reel is initially positioned within the device, it is supported upon the platform, thus, by operating the handle to the raised position, the reel is supported by reel supporting means above the platform to permit rotation thereof with respect to the platform.

In operation, as the wire is delivered from the reel 33 to a source, for instance, an extruder, the tension or pull exerted thereon will be increased and cause the rider to be vertically moved due to the decrease in the length of the looped section of the run 34. As the rider is thus operated, it rises with respect to the end portion of the beam 39 with the result that the length of the depending section 43 of the chain 42 will be increased, together with its weight, and the length of the section 4|, together with its Weight, will be decreased. By thus shifting weight from the end portion 40 of the beam 39 to the rider 20, the counterweight 44 is rendered more effective and decreases the braking action of the brake shoe 38 with the drum 36 with the result that rotation of the reel 32 is accelerated and faster feeding of the Wire 33 to the source is permitted. If desired, the rotation of the reel and the delivery speed of the wire may be maintained within a predetermined range by adjusting the wing nut 49 relative to the beam 39 to limit the upward movement of the end portion 40 of the beam. Obviously, should the reel rotate at a speed in excess of that demanded for the feeding of the wire to the extruder, the tension on the run 34 will be decreased with the result that the length of the looped section 35 is increased and the rider lowered with respect to the end portion 40 thereby transferring or shifting weight from the depending run 43 to the depending run ii of the chain 42. This shifting of weight counteracts and decreases the effectiveness of the counterdisconnected from the end portion 40 of the beam.

The desired tension on the wire may be varied while the wire is being fed by moving the counterbalanced weight 44 towards the fulcrum or balance shaft 36. Moving of the counter-balance weight .4 towards the fulcrum will immediately cause the rider to assume a higher position with respect to the beam, and the higher the position the rider assumes, the greater is the chain weight supported by the rider with the result that the tension applied to the wire will be increased in proportion to the weight thus added. The tension of the wire may also be varied by either applying or removing auxiliary weights to or from the rider or by utilizing either a lighter or heavier chain with respect to its length or the size of i the links thereof.

Without further elaboration the foregoing will so fully explain the invention that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service. Moreover, it is not indispensable that all the features of the invention be used conjointly since they may be employed advantageously in various combinations and sub-combinations.

It is obvious that the invention is not confined to the hereindescribed use therefor as it may be utilized for any purpose to which it is adaptable. It is therefore to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific construction as illustrated and described as the same is only illustrative of the principles of operation, which are capable of extended application in various forms, and that the invention comprehends all construction within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In combination, weight actuated brake means effective for controlling the delivery of wire from a roll, tension responsive means adapted to be supported by the feeding run of said wire, and flexible weight means connected to said tension responsive means and said brake means for operating the latter, said tension responsive means being movable in response to tension variation of said run to shift at least a portion of the weight of said flexible means relative to said brake means and thus render the latter effective in acordance with said variation.

2. In combination, weight actuated brake means effective for controlling the delivery of wire from a roll, tension responsive means adapted to be supported by the feeding run of said wire, and a plurality of connected relatively movable weight elements connected to said tension responsive means and said brake means for opcrating the latter, said tension responsive means being movable in response to tension variation of said run to shift the weight of at least one of said elements relative to said brake means and thus render the latter effective in accordance with said variation.

3. In combination, weight actuated brake means effective for controlling the delivery of wire from a roll, tension responsive means adapted to be supported by the feeding run of said wire, and a depending weight chain having its ends attached to said tension responsive means and said brake means respectively for operating the latter, said tension responsive means being movable and in response to tension variation of said run to progressively shift links of said chain relative to said brake means and thus render the latter effective in accordance with said variation.

4. .In combination, weight actuated means effective for controlling the delivery of wire from a roll, a rider adapted to be supported by the feeding run of said wire, and a flexibleweight connected to and between said rider and said mean for operating the latter, said rider being movable in response to tension variation of said run to shift a portion of said weight relative to said means and thus render the latter effective in accordance with said variation.

5. In combination, weight actuated brake means effective for controlling the delivery of wire from a roll including a balance arm, a rider adapted to be supported by the feeding run of said wire, and a plurality of connected relatively movable weight elements'connected to and between said rider and said arm for operating said means, said rider being movable in response to tension variation of said run to progressively shift said elements relative to said arm and thus render said brake means effective in accordance with said variation.

6. In combination, means for rotatably supporting a roll of wire; weight actuated means effective for controlling the delivery of wire from said roll and comprising a brake drum for unitary rotation with the roll, a'balance arm, and a brake shoe for engaging said drum and carried by said arm; a rider adapted to be supported by the feeding run of said wire, and a depending weight chain having its ends attached to said rider and said arm respectively for operating the latter, said rider being movable and in response to tension variation of said run to progressively shift links of said chain relative to said arm and thus render the said weight actuated means effective in accordance with said variation.

7. In combination, brake means for controlling the delivery of wire from a roll and including a balance arm, equipped with a counter-weight, a rider adapted to be supported by the feeding run of said wire, a plurality of connected relatively movable weight elements connected to said rider and said arm, said rider being shiftable relative to said arm and in response to tension 7 variation of said run to selectively shift the weight of said elements to said arm to overcome said counter-weight and thus render said brake means effective, and means for limiting movement of said arm by said counter-weight when 7 said elements are shifted otherwise.

6 ing transversely of said support means, a brake shoe carried by said arm and engageable with said brake means, a rider slidably connected to said standard and having a pulley about which a strand of wire from said reel passes, and a chain having one end attached to said rider and the other end attached to an end of the arm, whereby braking pressure is applied to said brake shoe upon movement of said rider to shift links of the chain for support by said arm.

9. A wire pay-off stand comprising means to rotatably support a reel of wire, brake means carried by said first-named means, an arm extending transversely of said first-named means, a brake shoe carried by the arm and engageable with the brake means, a floating pulley about which a strand of wire from the reel passes, and a chain having one end connected to the pulley and the other end connected to an end of the arm, whereby braking pressure is progressively applied to the brake shoe.

10. A wire pay-off stand comprising means to rotatably support a reel of wire, brake means carried by said first-named means, an arm extending transversely of said first-named means, a brake shoe carried by the arm and engageable with the brake means, a floating pulley about which a strand of wire from the reel passes, and a series of weighted connected elements having one end connected to the pulley and the other end connected to an end of the arm, whereby braking pressure is progressively applied to the brake shoe.

11. A wire pay-off stand comprising in combination, a base, an arm pivoted on the base, a bearing carried by the arm, a shaft rotatable in the bearing to support a reel of wire, a brake wheel carried by the shaft and formed with a peripheral groove, a post, a floating pulley assembly on the post about the pulley of which wire passes from the reel, a second arm extending transversely of the shaft and thereabove, a brake shoe on the second arm and entering the groove in the brake wheel, said second arm having an upwardly extending end proximate the post and a flexible weight member, one end of which is attached to the end of the second arm and the other end of which is attached to the assembly, the upwardly extending end of the second arm being offset with respect to the assembly.

12. A wire pay-ofi stand comprising in combination, a pivoted arm, a bearing carried by the arm, a shaft rotatable in the bearing to support a reel of wire, a brake wheel carried by the shaft and formed with a peripheral groove, a post, a floating pulley assembly on the post about the pulley of which wire passes from the reel, a second arm extending transversely of the shaft and thereabove, a brake shoe on the sec ond arm'and entering the groove in the brake wheel, said second arm having an upwardly extending end proximate the post and a flexible weight member, one end of which is attached to the end of the second arm and the other end of which is attached to the pulley assembly, the upwardly extending end of the second arm being offset with respect to the pulley assembly.

13. In combination, a base, a shaft rotatably supported above the base and adapted to support a reel of wire, a brake drum carried by the shaft, a post, a floating rider on the post, an arm and a brake shoe on the arm for engaging the brake wheel, said arm having an upwardly extending end proximate the post, and a chain 7 having one end attached to the arm and the other end attached to the rider.

14. A wire pay-off stand comprising in combination, a base, a base member pivoted on the base, a bearing carried by the member, a shaft rotatable in the bearing to support a reel of wire, brake means carried by the shaft, a post, a fioating rider on the post and having a pulley about which wire is adapted to pass from the reel, coacting brake means, pivotally mounted on the member and including an arm having an upwardly extending end proximate the post, and a flexible member, one end of which is attached to the upwardly extending end of the arm and the other end of which is attached to the rider.

15. A wire pay-off stand comprising in combination, an arm, brake means carriedby the arm,

rotatable shaft to support a reel of wire, coacting brake means carried by the shaft, floating pulley means about which wire passes from the reel, and a chain having one end attached to the arm and the other end attached to the pulley means. 7

16. In combination, means for controlling the rate of delivery Of wire from a reel and including a rotatable brake member and a pivoted brake member for engaging said rotatable brake member, means adapted to be carried by the wire and responsive to the tension thereof for establishing said rate, and chain means connected to said first and second mentioned means for rendering said second mentioned brake member effective for maintaining of said rate upon variation of said tension.

1'7. In combination, means for controlling the rat of delivery of wire from a reel and including a brake drum and a brake shoe for engaging said drum, a rider adapted to be carried by the wire and responsive to the tension thereof for establishing said rate, and chain means connected to said first mentioned means and said rider for rendering said brake shoe effective for maintaining said rate upon variation of said tension.

18. In a wire pay-oft stand comprising in combination, a rotatable shaft to support a reel of wire, a brake wheel carried by the shaft, a post, a floating pulley assembly, an arm extending transversely of the shaft and thereabove, a brake shoe on the arm and engaging the brake wheel, said arm having an upwardly extending end proximate the post and a flexible chain member, one end of which is attached to the adjacent end of the arm and the other end of which is attached to the pulley assembly.

19. In a wire pay-off'stand comprising in combination, a rotatable shaft to support a reel, a brake wheel carried by the shaft, a floating pulley assembly about the pulley of which wire passes from the reel, an arm having an upwardly extending end and being disposed transversely of the shaft and thereabove, a brake shoe on the arm and engaging the brake wheel, and a flexible chain, one end of which is attached to the upwardly extending end of the arm and the other end of which is attached to the assembly, the upwardly extending end of the arm being offset with respect to the pulley assembly.

20. In combination with pressure actuated means effective for controlling the travel of wire from one location to another, a weight member connected to said means for rendering the latter effective, and wire operated means connected to said weight member and adapted to be supported by said wire, said Wire operated means operable for shifting the weight of said member relative to said pressure actuated means in response to tension variation of said wire to render said member effective in accordance with said variation.

21. In combination with a wire working apparatus having working means for working the 7 Wire wherein the wire is looped back and forth a plurality of times, and rotatable means for supplying wire to said working means, of a brake for controlling the rotation of said rotatable means, and means including a weight chain controlled by the worked wire during working of the wire for controlling the braking effect of said brake.

22. A wire pay-off stand comprising in combination, a pivoted base member, a bearing carried by the member, a shaft rotatably in the bearing to support a reel of wire, brake means carried by the shaft, coaoting brake means pivotally mounted 0n the member floating pulley means about which wire is adapted to pass from the reel, and a weight member having one end attached to said coacting brake means and its other end to said pulley means.

JOHN COOK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 395,255 Wickwire Dec. 25, 1888 1,188,719 Beutler June 27, 1916 1,602,159 Joyce Oct. 5, 1926 1,618,402 Adams Feb. 22, 1927 1,946,313 Daniels Feb. 6, 1934 

